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Vancouver is worth a visit for the tourist interested in panoramic views and local flora and fauna in a natural and pristine state. Take a boat, bus, train or car for a guided or independent sightseeing tour. The mild temperatures and unique ecosystem of Canada's west coast offer sights that draw in and impress even the most seasoned traveler.

Water Tours

Vancouver's location is framed by water, whether it is the ocean to the west or a variety of lakes and rivers to the east, so boat tours are a natural choice. For adventurous sightseers who have more time, there are multiday tours of nearby Desolation Sound and the Sunshine Coast. For shorter tours, view bald eagles from a powerboat on the Fraser River for an afternoon. For a smoother, more romantic ride, take a paddle boat tour of historic New Westminster with a dinner and dance.

Driving Routes

The best times for driving tours are the warmer, drier months from April to September. The Coastal Circle Route connects Vancouver with the towns of Powell River and Gibsons -- both on the Sunshine Coast -- and includes part of Vancouver Island's east coast. This route is also frequented by many tour buses if you prefer not to do your own driving. Homes of artisans and craftspeople are along this route, and their work has been inspired by miles of eclectic coastal scenery.

Trains and Railways

Consider a sightseeing trip by train if you're looking for something different. The Whistler Mountaineer runs along the coast from downtown Vancouver to the ski resort town of Whistler. In the first half of the 3.5-hour trip, the train tracks hug the seashore, offering views of the Georgia Strait and the distant mountains of Vancouver Island. The train then winds through the deep canyons and snowy crags of the mountains as it ascends to Whistler.

Aerial Tours

Many of the wild and untamed corners of the west coast can be viewed from a plane. In these tours, known as "flightseeing," you can view the farmland and rivers of the Fraser Valley or get a closer view of the mountains north of Vancouver. You have a choice of transportation that varies from gliders to float planes and even helicopters, but bear in mind that a ride in these small aerial vehicles is not for the faint of heart.